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Chavez is the new QHS music program teacher

Tammara Green/writer@qvpr.com
March 03, 2011

Osbaldo Chavez brings la love of all forms of music with him to QHS.

Hang on to your guitars and violins, because new Quincy High School music teacher, Osbaldo Chavez, is here. Chavez was hired as the new QHS music director the second week in February, and he comes with a seasoned background as a musician.

“I always thought I would teach. I just didn’t know when,” said Chavez.

Born in Orange County, Calif., he moved to Wenatchee with his family in 1994 when he was in the fourth grade. He soon joined the mariachi music program offered by the district. Over the six years he was in Mariachi Huenachi, Chavez learned to play the violin, guitar, electric bass, and the guitarron, which is a traditional instrument from Mexico.

At the age of 15, Chavez was invited to participate in the Mariachi Spectacular Festival of Albuquerque, N.M.

After three summers of returning to the festival, Chavez was invited to teach other incoming young musicians at the event. He also taught at the Mariachi Northwest Festival of Wenatchee. In 2005, Chavez joined Mariachi Estrella de Mexico of Wenatchee. He got so involved that he eventually took over directing the group with assistance from his father and group coordinator, Ignacio Chavez.

Chavez recently toured professionally with Mariachi Sol de Mexico, which is one of the premier Mariachi bands in the world. He was called to play with them in 2006 and 2007 when they toured with the famous Mexican singer, Luis Miguel. Mariachi Sol de Mexico also backed the artist up on his album “Mexico en La Piel.”

Chavez has toured all over Mexico and Europe. “Touring the world was amazing. We were at Madison Square Garden one Halloween, and we played Caesar’s Palace. We also went to Barcelona,” said Chavez.

For now, he is focused on his first year of teaching at Quincy High School. Chavez is getting used to the commute from Wenatchee to Quincy every day, but he is most excited about getting the QHS music department up and running. He is taking on two guitar classes: one beginning and one advanced, as well as teaching choir and SPECTRUM, and one class of band.

Growing up around music gave Chavez and understanding of the importance of it. “Music is the universal language. It doesn’t matter where you are from. Music notation is the same worldwide,” he emphasized.

Chavez is excited to bring mariachi to the Quincy School District. He believes the kids have talent. “I would like to thank the school district for hiring me, and I look forward to helping the district get a program started,” said Chavez.